WEST ALLIS, Wis.— People are typically more familiar with state fair animal judging competitions when it comes to prize cattle, sheep, pigs and horses.
But the Wisconsin State Fair also hosts a poultry and waterfowl competition. Wednesday’s event was for kids and teenagers to present their animals to judges.
Mother and daughter Michelle and Ciara Waltenberg from Portage County brought chickens, meat pigeons and ducks to the state fair with them to participate in the judging.
Michelle says Ciara has spent the last year in preparation for the competition making sure she understands the rules and regulations of the judging at the state fair.
“These kids work on their birds all year long. They’re conditioning them, making sure they have the right feeds, they are breeding towards the standard of perfection which is a book out there that sets the rules of how the birds should look, so there’s a lot these kids have to prepare for,” said Michelle Waltenberg.
In preparation of the judging taking place, Ciara says she took the time to make sure each of her birds were clean and comfortable enough for presentation.
“We take three tubs. One with Dawn dish soap and some bluing serum for the white-feathered birds, one tub for rinsing and one tub with apple cider vinegar to make sure that their feathers come in and their skin oil is replenished easily,” said Ciara Waltenberg.
Ciara is one of many young adults that are participating in animal judging at the State Fair, but Michelle says fewer children are really committing to the taking the event seriously anymore.
“A lot of kids are spending more times indoors online and playing videogames rather than being outside,” said Michelle. “We really encourage that some kids take up caring for poultry or waterfowl. A lot of villages and townships in Wisconsin are now allowing for people to have chickens and other birds in their backyards. Check into your local ordinances, get into it, it’s a lot of fun, it gives children more responsibility and they can eventually join 4-H, the FFA, and eventually show up to shows like we have here at the State Fair.”
Judging for live poultry and waterfowl vary by the type of bird, the amount of plumage, how distinct each feature an animal has and how calm the bird can be on the judging table.
The adult judging for poultry and waterfowl takes place in the coming days.
